Aquino, Alejo (Al) <br/><br/>
What Rotary means to me / 
by Al Aquino 
 - page 18.  
<br/><br/> The Rotary Balita no. 646 (May 18, 1950). 
<br/><br/> Rotary means to me a fuller consciousness of my responsibility in the community. It has brought me into a circle of leaders who are sworn to render individually and collectively the fullest measure of service to their fellowmen.  Before I became a Rotarian, I could not completely understand why some people could "waste" so much energy on matters that seemed to affect them only remotely, like aid to the handicapped. Rotary, however, has taught me emphatically that one's life should be dedicated to the "Ideal of Service." I have learned that unselfishness can be made true and sincere instead of being a mere lip and sanctimonious protestation.  Rotary has emphasized to me the wisdom of the Golden Rule as a norm of conduct. If people would observe this rule, life would be nobler and pleasanter.  The Golden Rule can be made a working formula in the attainment of the objects of Rotary. It discourages people from taking unfair advantage of others. It inspires them to do the best by others because they want others to do the best by them. It teaches them that life is give and take; and people, in the final analysis, receive only as much as they give. If they give service, they will receive service; for love begets love, and hatred inspires only hatred.